Change to do you good

Charm City Roller Girls tryouts

Lloyd Fox / The Baltimore Sun

Make friends (and rivals) Charm City Roller Girls tryouts Stop admiring from afar and get your own clever-yet-intimidating nickname, a new pack of tuff-gal friends and some mad skills. Start by checking out a bout (the home opener is Jan. 28) and practicing. According to the Roller Girls' site, skaters should be able to show basic skating and derby skills as well as endurance (you'll need it); workshops are offered to help you get on track. The next tryouts are in April, so get on it. charmcityrollergirls.com

Make friends (and rivals) Charm City Roller Girls tryouts Stop admiring from afar and get your own clever-yet-intimidating nickname, a new pack of tuff-gal friends and some mad skills. Start by checking out a bout (the home opener is Jan. 28) and practicing. According to the Roller Girls' site, skaters should be able to show basic skating and derby skills as well as endurance (you'll need it); workshops are offered to help you get on track. The next tryouts are in April, so get on it. charmcityrollergirls.com (Lloyd Fox / The Baltimore Sun)

Simon Habtemariam

Changin' ain't easy, but people keep trying.

Sixty-four percent of adults between ages 18-29 said they were "somewhat likely" or "very likely" to make a New Year's resolution, according to a recent poll by the Marist Institute for Public Opinion. That compares with 38 percent of U.S. adults generally.

As you may have seen at the gym this week, fitness clubs are eager to foster that ambition, offering discounts and waiving startup fees for people who want to lose weight or get in shape. Baltimore-based Brick Bodies signs up a quarter of its members in January.

Still, "We work very hard making sure that these people signing up to achieve their New Year's resolutions don't lose their motivation and fizzle out come February or March," says Nick Ehrlich, personal training team leader at Brick Bodies' Padonia club.

According to that Marist poll, about one in every three young adults won't keep their resolutions.

"Younger members tend to come out of the gate a little harder and more energetic come January 1, but their schedules and careers tend to be a little less predictable and can quickly squash early-morning or evening workouts," Ehrlich said.

As January sets in and segues to February and March, you'll need help to make permanent change. One way is to take small steps (see article on next page). Another is having fun. Whether you want to start a regular fitness habit, learn a new skill, make friends or get creative, here are some fun suggestions.

Expand your palate

Wine flights

Many local restaurants and wine shops offer classes, wine flights and other activities to help you learn more about wines. For example, the wine flights at Cinghiale (822 Lancaster St., Harbor East) feature wines and Italian cheeses for $49. Check it out Mondays from 6-8 p.m. cgeno.com

Conquer your stage fright

Open mike

Get your scribblings off the screen (or out of the notebook) and share them with the world. You can express your poetry, your music and your true sentiments at any of the region's open-mike nights. One popular event is the Monday night gathering at Teavolve (7 p.m., 1705 Eastern Ave.) hosted by singer-songwriter Acacia Sears. teavolve.com

Explore your artistic side

Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art Show

You've been meaning to brush up on your life drawing skills, right? Do it with a cocktail in hand when Sabrina Chap models for aspiring artists Jan. 23 at the Windup Space, 12 W. North Ave. Bring your own supplies (no paint), the $8 cover, cash to tip the model and your passion for the creative process. drsketchysbaltimore.wordpress.com

Make friends (and rivals)

Charm City Roller Girls tryouts

Stop admiring from afar and get your own clever-yet-intimidating nickname, a new pack of tuff-gal friends and some mad skills. Start by checking out a bout (the home opener is Jan. 28) and practicing. According to the Roller Girls' site, skaters should be able to show basic skating and derby skills as well as endurance (you'll need it); workshops are offered to help you get on track. The next tryouts are in April, so get on it. charmcityrollergirls.com

be philanthropic

Polar Bear Plunge

So far, the 16th annual plunge has raised more than $550,000 for Special Olympics Maryland, and you can add to that. You just have to be willing to enter the chilly waters of the Chesapeake at Sandy Point State Park on Jan. 28. But thousands of others will be there to shore up your courage. If you're really tough, you can set up to Super Plunge level and take the dip 24 times in 24 hours. plungemd.com

Work out with a goal

Themed runs

Some people love running, and others need incentive, whether it's the lure of green beer at the finish line, the thrill of fire and mud, or the threat of zombies on their tail. For beginners, a couple of 5Ks earlier in the year can motivate any couch potato to further success.

You can step away from "Dancing with the Stars" and learn some steps yourself at dance studios such as Mobtown Ballroom (861 Washington Ave., Pigtown), a new venue that offers swing dancing on Mondays and Fridays and lessons of all kinds — belly dancing, Lindy Hop, salsa, blues. Bring your significant other or meet somebody new. mobtownballroom.com